How to Memorize

abate - lessen

Analysis

To ‘abate’ means to decrease in force or severity. This formal word implies that the diminishing is not immediate but rather occurs progressively. It can be used in a wide variety of contexts related to things that are physically, mentally, or emotionally intense, such as bad weather or illnesses, or something harsh in a different way, such as financial difficulties or contraints.

Example(s)

1. I think I’ll wait for the rain to abate before walking home from the office. I don’t want to get drenched.

2. The company was offered a substantial tax abatement to incentivize them to build their new headquarters in that city.

3. The epidemic shows little sign of abating in many countries, leaving them reliant on developing a vaccine to get a handle on it.